THE NATURAL WAY: Walton flocks to Biophilia Center for open house (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center celebrated its one year anniversary last week with more than 1,200 people attending an open house and tours

During the first open house, the exhibit hall amazed spectators of all ages, while the theater shows throughout the day were at full capacity. Multiple hikes were led each hour with as many as 75 people hiking the same trail at a time. Others crowded to see Nonie’s Ark or Turtle Bob’s animal encounters. Several little ones left with artwork donned on their faces. 

The open house was a rare weekend treat since the center is not generally open to the public and primarily educates 4th and 7th grade students in the public school system. 

To see a photo gallery of the center, click here.

Congressman Jeff Miller had a preview of the outdoor experience earlier in the week. The Biophilia Center is typically reserved for what conservation philanthropist M.C. Davis calls our “future leaders.”

“It is a life changing experience they will never forget,” Davis said of the four-day-long fieldtrip Walton County fourth and seventh graders enjoy at the center every year.

The idea is to develop in the students a “love for the environment,” he added. This is achieved by submerging the young minds into the wilds.

Last year, the center served Walton, Bay, Okaloosa, Holmes and Leon county schools, averaging 140 students each school day, totaling over 4,000 students.  This school year, the center has close to 6,000 students scheduled and is having to turn schools away due to staff and budget limitations. 

The fact that the project — a fantasy that had been funded to the tune of $600,000 solely by Davis — is now in need of public support is a result of the devastating economic times.

“It wasn’t an issue when we started; I never dreamed I was ever going to need anyone else’s money,” Davis said to Miller during a quick pause in the tour.

 “This place is very special,” Miller told Davis. “I can see why you are so proud of it.”

The students from West DeFuniak Springs Elementary, who were on a field trip at the facility, echoed Miller’s sentiment.

“My favorite was the beach thing,” Jacob said.

Elexis thought “the exhibit hall was the best.” And for Danie’l “the science and oil experiment was my favorite.”   

This type of enthusiasm is the goal of the educational facility at the heart of the 49,000 acre Nokuse Plantation.

“We have them here for a week and they leave a little bit like a naturalist,” Davis said.

For more information about the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, please visit the Center’s website www.eowilsoncenter.org